Peter Alliss has admitted he is embarrassed that the BBC have surrendered their live coverage of The Open a year early.

After it was confirmed that Sky Sports will provide live coverage of the 2016 event at Royal Troon, ending 60 years of free-to-air broadcasts on the BBC, Alliss expressed his sadness that the Royal and Ancient, golf’s governing body, had chased revenue at the cost of viewing figures.

Sky are understood to be paying around £15million a year, an increase of £5m on the BBC’s deal, which has been terminated a year early to ‘ensure maximum choice and value for money for licence fee payers’. The BBC will broadcast a two-hour highlights programme instead.

Hazel Irvine and Peter Alliss were the faces of live golf for the BBC, which has given up The Open

Sky, with pundits like Paul McGinley (L) and Butch Harmon (C) will pay around £15m a year for The Open

BBC commentator Alliss, 84, told The Times: ‘A month ago I was told it was going to happen. I am embarrassed that an organisation the size of the BBC with its worldwide reputation is in this situation, but it is inevitable.

‘Whether we like it or not, golf is a minority sport and covering The Open doesn’t come cheap. I was once told its costs were exceeded only by the cost of a state funeral.

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‘I feel sadness that it has come to this. The R&A will end up with millions of pounds, we will have a daily package of highlights which will be very good and will be watched by between three and four million people.

‘Sky will struggle to get one million viewers. They have wonderful technology, every gizmo under the sun, but what they don’t have are viewers. Sky aren’t bothered about viewers. I think they do well over 200 golf programmes a year but they aren’t interested in viewing figures. They don’t legislate what we watch. All they are interested in is selling dishes.’

Alliss has been the voice of live golf on the BBC since 1978, and first worked for the corporation in 1961

Zach Johnson lifted the Claret Jug at St Andrews after winning the final Open to be shown live by the BBC

The R&A insisted they had not profited from Sky taking over the final year of the BBC’s deal, but acknowledged that some armchair fans would be disappointed by having to pay more than just the licence fee to watch The Open. Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A, said: ‘It is sad to see the BBC’s live coverage of The Open end and I know some fans will be disappointed.

‘The relationship between the R&A and the BBC spans more than 60 years and we understand the challenging circumstances that the BBC is currently presented with.

‘I know the BBC will produce compelling highlights, which will be enjoyed by a large prime-time audience.

‘We are committed to delivering a spectacular edition of The Open next year at Royal Troon and working with both Sky Sports and the BBC we will ensure compelling coverage for millions of fans.’